OSHA 511 GENERAL INDUSTRY EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE (2026/2027 EDITION)
200 Multiple-Choice Questions - Complete Practice Exam (26-hour course, 85% passing)
Independent-Study Disclaimer
This practice examination is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by
OSHA, the OSHA Training Institute (OTI), or the U.S. Department of Labor. It is provided for educational and
self-assessment purposes only and is not a substitute for official OSHA 511 training, standards, or professional
guidance. Standards are subject to change; always consult current 29 CFR 1910 and OSHA publications.
, Section 1: Introduction to OSHA & The OSH Act – Mission, History,
Organization, Standards (20 questions)
Q1: What is the primary purpose of OSHA?
A. To maximize production
B. To set product prices
C. To license businesses
D. To ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: OSHA's primary purpose is to ensure safe and healthful working conditions. The others are
incorrect.
Q2: Which law created OSHA?
A. The Fair Labor Standards Act
B. The Clean Air Act
C. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 [CORRECT]
D. The National Labor Relations Act
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The OSH Act of 1970 created OSHA. The others are different laws.
Q3: Which section of the OSH Act outlines employer responsibilities?
A. Section 5 (General Duty Clause) [CORRECT]
B. Section 1
C. Section 8
D. Section 10
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Section 5 (the General Duty Clause) outlines employer responsibilities. The others are different
sections.
Q4: Which of the following is an employer responsibility under the OSH Act?
A. Only pay wages
B. Provide a workplace free from recognized hazards [CORRECT]
C. Avoid safety training
D. Ignore hazards
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Employers must provide a workplace free from recognized hazards. The others are incorrect.
Q5: Which of the following is an employee right under OSHA?
A. The right to ignore safety
B. The right to a safe workplace and to request an OSHA inspection [CORRECT]
C. The right to refuse all work
D. The right to remove guards
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Employees have the right to a safe workplace and to request an inspection. The others are
incorrect.
OSHA 511 General Industry Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 2
, Q6: Where are OSHA general industry standards codified?
A. 29 CFR 1926
B. 29 CFR 1910 [CORRECT]
C. 49 CFR 1910
D. 40 CFR 1910
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA general industry standards are in 29 CFR 1910. 29 CFR 1926 is construction. The others
are incorrect.
Q7: Which of the following is an example of an OSHA general industry standard?
A. 29 CFR 1926.501 (fall protection)
B. 29 CFR 1910.147 (lockout/tagout) [CORRECT]
C. The EPA air rule
D. The DOT hours rule
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 29 CFR 1910.147 is a general industry standard (LOTO). 1926 is construction. The others are not
OSHA 1910.
Q8: Which of the following is TRUE about the effects of workplace injuries?
A. They have no cost
B. They are rare
C. They are unavoidable
D. Workplace injuries and illnesses have significant human and economic costs [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Workplace injuries have significant human and economic costs. The others are incorrect.
Q9: Which of the following is TRUE about the scope of 29 CFR 1910?
A. It covers only construction
B. It covers only maritime
C. It covers agriculture only
D. It covers general industry workplaces [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: 29 CFR 1910 applies to general industry. The others are different industries.
Q10: Which of the following is TRUE about OSHA standards?
A. They are optional
B. They establish requirements employers must follow to protect workers [CORRECT]
C. They are recommendations
D. They only apply to federal employees
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA standards establish mandatory requirements. The others are incorrect.
OSHA 511 General Industry Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 3
, Q11: Which of the following is an OSHA 'general duty clause' violation?
A. A recognized hazard not covered by a specific standard, where the employer failed to abate it
[CORRECT]
B. A covered by a specific standard
C. A trivial issue
D. No hazard
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The General Duty Clause applies to recognized hazards not covered by a specific standard. The
others are incorrect.
Q12: Which of the following is TRUE about OSHA's mission?
A. It is to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities [CORRECT]
B. It is to increase citations
C. It is to set wages
D. It is to license products
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: OSHA's mission is to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. The others are incorrect.
Q13: Which of the following is TRUE about OSHA recordkeeping?
A. No employer records anything
B. Recording is optional
C. Certain employers must record work-related injuries and illnesses [CORRECT]
D. Only construction records
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: OSHA recordkeeping applies to certain employers. The others are incorrect.
Q14: Which of the following is TRUE about an OSHA standard being 'promulgated'?
A. It is a suggestion
B. It is immediate
C. It is adopted through a rulemaking process [CORRECT]
D. It is not enforced
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: OSHA standards are promulgated through rulemaking. The others are incorrect.
Q15: Which of the following is TRUE about the OSH Act and employers?
A. Employers are responsible for complying with OSHA standards [CORRECT]
B. Employers have no responsibilities
C. Compliance is optional
D. Only employees are responsible
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Employers must comply with OSHA standards. The others are incorrect.
OSHA 511 General Industry Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 4
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE (2026/2027 EDITION)
200 Multiple-Choice Questions - Complete Practice Exam (26-hour course, 85% passing)
Independent-Study Disclaimer
This practice examination is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by
OSHA, the OSHA Training Institute (OTI), or the U.S. Department of Labor. It is provided for educational and
self-assessment purposes only and is not a substitute for official OSHA 511 training, standards, or professional
guidance. Standards are subject to change; always consult current 29 CFR 1910 and OSHA publications.
, Section 1: Introduction to OSHA & The OSH Act – Mission, History,
Organization, Standards (20 questions)
Q1: What is the primary purpose of OSHA?
A. To maximize production
B. To set product prices
C. To license businesses
D. To ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: OSHA's primary purpose is to ensure safe and healthful working conditions. The others are
incorrect.
Q2: Which law created OSHA?
A. The Fair Labor Standards Act
B. The Clean Air Act
C. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 [CORRECT]
D. The National Labor Relations Act
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The OSH Act of 1970 created OSHA. The others are different laws.
Q3: Which section of the OSH Act outlines employer responsibilities?
A. Section 5 (General Duty Clause) [CORRECT]
B. Section 1
C. Section 8
D. Section 10
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Section 5 (the General Duty Clause) outlines employer responsibilities. The others are different
sections.
Q4: Which of the following is an employer responsibility under the OSH Act?
A. Only pay wages
B. Provide a workplace free from recognized hazards [CORRECT]
C. Avoid safety training
D. Ignore hazards
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Employers must provide a workplace free from recognized hazards. The others are incorrect.
Q5: Which of the following is an employee right under OSHA?
A. The right to ignore safety
B. The right to a safe workplace and to request an OSHA inspection [CORRECT]
C. The right to refuse all work
D. The right to remove guards
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Employees have the right to a safe workplace and to request an inspection. The others are
incorrect.
OSHA 511 General Industry Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 2
, Q6: Where are OSHA general industry standards codified?
A. 29 CFR 1926
B. 29 CFR 1910 [CORRECT]
C. 49 CFR 1910
D. 40 CFR 1910
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA general industry standards are in 29 CFR 1910. 29 CFR 1926 is construction. The others
are incorrect.
Q7: Which of the following is an example of an OSHA general industry standard?
A. 29 CFR 1926.501 (fall protection)
B. 29 CFR 1910.147 (lockout/tagout) [CORRECT]
C. The EPA air rule
D. The DOT hours rule
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 29 CFR 1910.147 is a general industry standard (LOTO). 1926 is construction. The others are not
OSHA 1910.
Q8: Which of the following is TRUE about the effects of workplace injuries?
A. They have no cost
B. They are rare
C. They are unavoidable
D. Workplace injuries and illnesses have significant human and economic costs [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Workplace injuries have significant human and economic costs. The others are incorrect.
Q9: Which of the following is TRUE about the scope of 29 CFR 1910?
A. It covers only construction
B. It covers only maritime
C. It covers agriculture only
D. It covers general industry workplaces [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: 29 CFR 1910 applies to general industry. The others are different industries.
Q10: Which of the following is TRUE about OSHA standards?
A. They are optional
B. They establish requirements employers must follow to protect workers [CORRECT]
C. They are recommendations
D. They only apply to federal employees
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA standards establish mandatory requirements. The others are incorrect.
OSHA 511 General Industry Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 3
, Q11: Which of the following is an OSHA 'general duty clause' violation?
A. A recognized hazard not covered by a specific standard, where the employer failed to abate it
[CORRECT]
B. A covered by a specific standard
C. A trivial issue
D. No hazard
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The General Duty Clause applies to recognized hazards not covered by a specific standard. The
others are incorrect.
Q12: Which of the following is TRUE about OSHA's mission?
A. It is to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities [CORRECT]
B. It is to increase citations
C. It is to set wages
D. It is to license products
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: OSHA's mission is to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. The others are incorrect.
Q13: Which of the following is TRUE about OSHA recordkeeping?
A. No employer records anything
B. Recording is optional
C. Certain employers must record work-related injuries and illnesses [CORRECT]
D. Only construction records
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: OSHA recordkeeping applies to certain employers. The others are incorrect.
Q14: Which of the following is TRUE about an OSHA standard being 'promulgated'?
A. It is a suggestion
B. It is immediate
C. It is adopted through a rulemaking process [CORRECT]
D. It is not enforced
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: OSHA standards are promulgated through rulemaking. The others are incorrect.
Q15: Which of the following is TRUE about the OSH Act and employers?
A. Employers are responsible for complying with OSHA standards [CORRECT]
B. Employers have no responsibilities
C. Compliance is optional
D. Only employees are responsible
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Employers must comply with OSHA standards. The others are incorrect.
OSHA 511 General Industry Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 4
